The Download: computing’s bright young minds, and cleaning up satellite streaks

The Download: Computing's Bright Young Minds, and Cleaning Up Satellite Streaks This year's list of 35 outstanding individuals under the age of 35, honored by MIT Technology Review for driving scientific progress and solving tough problems in their fields, includes several computing innovators making significant contributions to the field. Among them are researchers working on new AI chips and specialized datasets, as well as experts developing smart ideas about how to assess advanced systems for safety. One such honoree is Meredith Rawls, a research scientist at the Vera Rubin Observatory's flagship observation project, who has been tackling the issue of satellite streaks in astronomical images. According to Rawls, "Up to 40 images captured by the observatory within its first 10 years of operation will be marred by their sunlight-reflecting streaks." The Vera Rubin Observatory, which commenced its decade-long quest earlier this year, is capable of capturing many more stars than any other astronomical observatory ever built. Rawls' work on mitigating satellite streaks is crucial to the success of the project. "The streaks can be distracting and make it difficult for astronomers to analyze the data," Rawls explained. To address this issue, Rawls and her team are developing new algorithms that can automatically remove or minimize the impact of these streaks. The Vera Rubin Observatory's mission is to create an extremely detailed time-lapse movie of the universe. With its advanced technology, it will be able to capture many more stars than any other observatory ever built. However, this also means that it will see many more satellites, which can cause streaks in the images. The issue of satellite streaks has been a challenge for astronomers and space agencies around the world. The computing innovators honored by MIT Technology Review are pushing the boundaries of what is possible with technology. Their work on new AI chips and specialized datasets is expected to have significant implications for fields such as healthcare, finance, and education. As one honoree noted, "The future of computing is not just about processing power, but also about how we use data to make decisions." In addition to Rawls' work on satellite streaks, other computing innovators honored by MIT Technology Review are making significant contributions to the field. For example, researchers at Google and Microsoft are working on new AI chips that can perform complex tasks more efficiently. The Vera Rubin Observatory's decade-long quest is expected to revolutionize our understanding of the universe. With its advanced technology, it will be able to capture many more stars than any other observatory ever built. However, the issue of satellite streaks remains a challenge that needs to be addressed. As Rawls noted, "We are working hard to develop new algorithms and techniques that can automatically remove or minimize the impact of these streaks." The success of the project depends on the ability of astronomers and researchers like Rawls to overcome this challenge. The computing innovators honored by MIT Technology Review are not only pushing the boundaries of what is possible with technology but also inspiring a new generation of scientists and engineers. Their work has significant implications for fields such as healthcare, finance, and education, and it is expected to have a lasting impact on society. About the Author: This article was written based on information from today's edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what's going on in the world of technology. *Reporting by Technologyreview.*